Which statement correctly distinguishes subjective data from objective data?

• A. Subjective data are observable measurements such as vital signs
• B. Objective data are based on the patient's personal interpretation
• C. Subjective data are obtained from the client, such as pain or anxiety
• D. Objective data are always exact measurements

Answer: (C)

Subjective data come from the patient’s own report of how they feel or perceive things, such as pain level or anxiety, because these experiences are internal and cannot be measured directly by someone else. Objective data are what you can observe or measure through signs, tests, and physical findings, like vital signs. The statement that subjective data are obtained from the client, such as pain or anxiety, correctly captures this distinction. The other options mix up what is measured and reported: vital signs are objective measurements, not subjective; objective data are not based on the patient’s personal interpretation; and while objective data are measurements, they are not always exact due to measurement limits and variability.